Rep. Johnson takes aim at Ga. handgun law

ATLANTA – A Democratic Congressman from Georgia has introduced legislation that would ban anyone other than law enforcement personnel from carrying guns in non-secure areas of airports, such as the baggage claim area.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., introduced the “Airport Security Act of 2010” less than a week after U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., introduced a similar bill, the “Firearm-Free Airports Act.” Both Johnson and Lautenberg filed their legislation in response to legislation the state legislature approved earlier this year; it is now awaiting Gov. Sonny Perdue’s signature or veto.

“We live in a post-911 world where terrorists continue to look at planes and airports as prime targets,” Johnson said in a statement. “It defies logic that we would we allow anyone other than law enforcement officials to carry a loaded gun within an airport? This bill is simply common sense.”